Rear-view reflector attachment for headlamps



A. B. CANTRILL REAR VIEW REFLECTOR ATTACHMENT FOR HEADLAMPS Filed April 30. 1925 Allen B. 62min}! ATTCRNLY WITNESS:

Patented July 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN B. CANTRILEOF EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA.

BEAR-VIEW BEFLECTOR ATTACHMENT FOR HEADLAMPS.

Application filed April 30, 1925.

1 consequently enable the operator to know at all times whether both headlamps are burnin" properly.

This well known that when driving on brightlylighted streets or in heavy trafiic where there are many cars approaching with bright headlights on them it is a dltficult matter for a driver to know whether or not his lamps are burning brightly. It is of course true that he can look at the position of the headlight control switch but this will not be a true guide inasmuch as one or both of the bulbs in the headlamp might be burned out without the knowledge of the operator. It is with the above facts in view that I have designed the present invention which will throw a small portion of the light rearwardly so that it will be readily visible and will clearly indicate to the operator the exact condition of the headlamps.

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to apply or install, positive in action, eflicient and durable. in service and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and advantages inview, the invention consists in 'the details of construction to be hereinafter.

more fully described and-claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 1

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through-a headlamp equipped with my in- VGIiIPtlOII,

i re 2 of 1, Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in section showing the invention constructed as an attachment, and Figure 4 is a front elevation. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A designates the shell or casing of an ordinary headlamp, within which casing is mounted the reflector B at the cenis a section taken on the line 2- -2 Serial No. 26,981.

ter of which is located the incandescent bulb or other illun'iinating ineans indicated at C. The front of the casing A is normally covered by a glass lens D which under ordinary circumstances is mounted within a suitable retaining rim E. As is well known, the ordinary rim is simply of circular formation.

In carrying out the first form'of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, I replace the ordinary or usual type of rimwith one which is formed at its uppermost point with an upstanding casing 10, which need not be of great size and which may have any desired shape. The front of this casing 10 is closed by a wall 11 which extends partly down over the lens D so that a portion of the light given off from the incandescent bulb C or other illuminating means will strike against this front wall member 11 and be reflected thereby in a rearward direction. Obviously, the inner or rear, face of this front wall should be silvered or otherwise treated to have a high reflective ower. The back portion of the casing 10 is formed with a suitable portion 12 covered by a small glass pane 13 preferably of clear glass.

In the form of the device shown in Figures 3 and 4, the invention is shown as formed in the nature of an attachment to be applied to existing headlamps without involving any changes in the construction thereof, other than the provision of a pair of holes to permit attachment. "In this form of the invention, I have shown the device as comprising an upstanding casing 14 corresponding substantially to the above described casing 10 and having a front wall portion 15 extending down over the upper portion of the lens 0. This type is likewise provided with the outlet opening 16 in its back Wall covered by a glass pane 17 through which the light will be reflected rearwardl so as to be seen .by the driver.

. In this form of the device the essential difference or variation from the first described form is that the casing 14 is provided with laterally extending bead portions 18 which embracingly engage upon the rim E'of the ordinary headlamp structure and which are secured thereto as for'instance by means of screws or the'like.

In case the first form is used it is obvious that the ordinary rim should be replaced by the specially constructed rim but in case the second form is used, it is obvious that the burning properly.

ordinary rim need not be disturbed, the attaehment being simply applied thereto and held by the screws.

In both forms of the invention it will be 5 seen that the light issuing from the lamp-will have a small portion thereof reflected rearwardly by the front wall 110r14 of the easing member so that the operator may tell at a glance whether or not both headlamps are The device is bound to ,be a great safety factor as it will reduce likelihood of driving a car around the streets with one or both headlamps dead.

\Vhile I have shown and described the l5 preferred embodiment of the invention it depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described the invention, 1 claim s In combination with the rim of a headlamp, an upstanding casing member thereon having a curved front wall formed with a reflector and extending down over a portion of the headlamp lens to receive a portion of the light and to reflect it rearwardly, the back wall of said casing having a transparent pane covered opening permitting the light to be seen from the rear of the lamp, said casing being formed with oppositely extending, curved arm portions arranged in partially embracing engagement upon the lamp rim, and securing screws threaded through said oppositely extending portions and into the rim of the headlamp.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ALLEN B. CANTRILL. 

